Q&A with Ugly Betty Casting Director Geoffrey Soffer About the 'Save Our Jobs' Campaign & More

There is a very strong possibility that if Governor Paterson doesn't fund the NY State Tax Credit Plan for film and tv production companies, many shows that currently film in New York will be packed up and shipped back to LA. BroadwayWorld.com is happy to support ANYTHING that helps the NY entertainment world thrive...

This made it the perfect time to check in with a BroadwayWorld.com favorite, and current casting director for Ugly Betty (which films at NYC's Silvercup Studios), Geoffrey Soffer.  

For more information on the campaign, including how YOU can help, click here.

With the facts as they are, of how many jobs and tax dollars are created in exchange for the credits -- why would they even consider taking it off the table?
That's a really good question. Ask Governor Paterson! The state issued $690 million in tax credits but has collected close to $3 billion in taxes from film and production companies. The fund for those credits that was set up by Pataki has been depleted a lot sooner than expected since Paterson increased the credit last year to 30%.

Everyone flocked to New York because it was such a good deal. But, the fund ran dry quickly. And, now the economy stinks, so Paterson is forced to make a lot of cuts, and there is a deficit. Funding this tax credit program is probably not a priority for him. But, it really doesn't make sense since it pays for itself and creates jobs.

What are some of the shows currently being filmed here that could be affected?
I think everyone is waiting to see what will happen. Most shows haven't gotten their official "pick ups" for next year either. I imagine many of the newer shows that came to New York to take advantage of the tax credits will move back to LA or elsewhere. I heard "Fringe" just announced they are moving to Canada. And we can forget about pilots. California just passed a 25% tax credit, so that will surely compete.

How else does filming in New York help create jobs?
It's a trickle down effect. In 2007 there were 7,000 jobs created directly and 12,000 created indirectly. If those 19,000 people are working, a good number of them will spend money. They will shop, eat out, take cabs, go to a Yankees game. Employed people put their money back into the economy. But if those same people aren't working, they won't spend. This isn't just about saving OUR jobs. When a large number of people are laid off, it effects everyone.

What can WE do to help?
Make noise. Call the Governor and our reps in Albany and demand that they keep funding the tax credits for film and TV production. And educate people who aren't in the industry on how this will effect them. And it WILL effect them.

How has the UGLY BETTY cast and show adjusted to the move east? We embraced them with open arms and I think they love being here.
Almost everyone in the cast had either lived in New York before getting "Ugly Betty", or had lived here at some point in their career. I worked on the pilot so it's great to be back on a show that I had a small part in getting started. We've completed 19 episodes and have 5 more left in the season. It's been an amazing year and I think creatively the show has never been better. It's New York. It's authentic. You can't replicate that anywhere.

And, New York loves having this show here. I love it when we're shooting exteriors on the streets. Everyone cheers and applauds. And the cast loves that energy too. It's amazing to watch.

What advantages has NY provided for you in being able to draw for the base of theatre actors?
I think New York has the most eclectic group of actors to choose from. It's also been a lot of fun casting our favorite Broadway actors in this show. Every week there is usually a familiar Broadway face.

Do you go to the theatre regularly to scout actors or do they come to you?
Both. I love finding someone that no one knows, and usually you don't find them through an agent. I try to go to showcases or classes and sometimes find great people there too. I also travel quite a bit and have found great actors Philly, DC, and Chicago.

What are YOU casting for currently?
For Ugly Betty, I'm casting a major recurring role of a 50-something billionaire, and a few co-star roles in the current episode. I've also been approached to cast 2 films during the hiatus. I'd really love to work on casting a great play - so if any of your readers are theater producers - call me!

What's an average day in the busy life of a television casting director like?
I'm usually up by 6:30am and spend about 2 hours responding to emails and going through agent submissions which are done online now. I am usually in the office by 11:30 and what happens from there really depends on the day. I'll have a few hours of pre-screens in which I audition actors I don't know, a casting session with my director and producer on the episode we're prepping, a meeting with the other department heads and producers to discuss the upcoming episode, a meeting with an up & coming actor, a table read with the cast, or I might just go and hang out with the cast on the set. And of course I'm always talking to agents and managers and hearing pitches of potential guest stars for the show. I might see a play at night. Each week is always different and has different thrills and challenges.

How did you get involved in the business? How does someone become a casting director?
When I was 11 years old I was in the First National Tour of Les Miserables and after that I continued auditioning & working professionally in New York and Philly. I was obsessed with theater and had this love of memorizing Playbills cover to cover, cast lists and the cast replacements too. Bizarre, right? My parents always supported my interests.

I got a talent scholarship for musical theater at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music but I only lasted there 2 years before moving to New York. I just couldn't focus on college. I spent the first year in New York auditioning and doing a few small things. But my heart wasn't in it. I think I always knew that I wanted to work behind the scenes, but having professionally acted since I was 11, found it hard to give it up. Eventually I got a job as a Casting Assistant at Roundabout Theater Company and then 6 months later became a casting associate working on Broadway and Off-Broadway plays and musicals. It helped having memorizing actors and cast lists and was finally able to put that knowledge to use.

I spent a few years freelancing with different casting directors and various other jobs in the industry and then was offered a job in the casting office at ABC in New York where I was promoted 2 years later to be a casting director. I was there for 5 years before being offered "Ugly Betty". I think the path is different for everyone. I had some great mentors along the way. You must love actors and understand their process. That's the most important. And you need to be able to see the producer, director and writer's vision and help them tell the story through the actors you bring them. And of course you develop good relationships with agents and managers and are always staying on top of who is out there. It can be very stressful and chaotic at times, but I love it. It can be incredibly collaborative and I'm lucky to be working on a show that embraces casting. If someone wants to be a casting director, they should try to get an internship. That's invaluable.

Also they should register with the Casting Society of America (castingsociety.com).

xx would be great as Yyy - do you accept, and how do you handle unsolicited submissions? Actors can send their headshots to me c/o Silvercup Studios East, 34-02 Starr Avenue, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101.

For more information on the campaign, including how YOU can help, click here.

 

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